THE REVIVAL TIMES

Larry Stipe is the son of Hal and Mary Stipe, two of the early organizers who helped bring the Lake Garnett Grand Prix to life in 1959. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, with his younger sister Susie, Larry grew up surrounded by sports cars, SCCA racing, and the beginnings of what would become one of Garnett’s most memorable chapters. He is now 78 years old, and this is his story.  “I became interested in sports cars at the age of 5 as a result of my parents’ involvement with the Sports Car Club of America and Lake Garnett...

This feature article, published in Southeast Kansas Living (Spring 2025), highlights the vibrant racing heritage of Garnett and the continued impact of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. The piece captures both the rich history of the original races and the renewed energy surrounding the modern event. Coverage like this helps share the story of Garnett’s motorsport legacy with readers across the region. To discover more stories from Southeast Kansas, subscribe to Southeast Kansas Living and receive each issue in your mailbox: www.sekliving.com. Submitted by Susan Wettstein.

It’s not just the engines turning heads at the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. Looks like LGGPR drivers have a fan club of their own! Whether it’s the cars, the charm, or just race-day excitement, one thing’s clear — being part of LGGPR has its perks. If you’ve been thinking about getting behind the wheel, now’s your chance. Registration is open, so don’t miss out. Sign up, show up, and see who’s cheering you on this year at Lake Garnett.

Some moments from the past are worth revisiting — especially when they capture the roar of engines, the swirl of dust off vintage tires, and the unmistakable thrill of competition. The 1963 Lake Garnett Grand Prix stands as one of those unforgettable slices of motorsport history. This original footage doesn’t just show a race — it immerses you in it, placing you trackside with drivers, cars, and fans from a time when grassroots road racing was alive and thriving in communities across America. Watch closely and you’ll see why these early races helped spark a tradition that continues today with...

Vintage racing films have a way of pulling you back in time — not just to a place, but to a feeling. The 1963 Lake Garnett Grand Prix stands out as a moment when community spirit and pure motorsport passion met on the winding lakeside roads of Garnett, Kansas. This original footage isn’t just a video; it’s a living piece of history. It shows drivers in their element, cars in motion, and a crowd gathered to celebrate speed and skill in an era when road racing was deeply rooted in camaraderie and enthusiasm. A Classic Moment in Racing History By...

The LGGPR was delayed until November which brought snow and 14F weather! A few of the HVR drivers came from TX, OK, KS, and MO to overcome the cold and enjoy some great camp fire time and fun driving on the track! HVR truly appreciates being able to participate in this one of a kind event! See you in 2019!

Before permanent race facilities became the norm, many of America’s most famous circuits were run on public roads — including Watkins Glen. This video looks back at the original Watkins Glen road races from 1948 to 1952, when competitors navigated everyday roadways much like they did at Lake Garnett. In the 1960s, Watkins Glen and Lake Garnett were even competing for the opportunity to host National Championship SCCA races. Both venues shared similar roots in grassroots road racing, built on community effort and a love of motorsport. It’s a fascinating look at another legendary “ghost track” that once stood alongside...

We are proud to share that great grandsons Trevor and Derek were featured on the back cover of The Sacred Octagon, the official magazine of the New England MG T Register. The Register is an international organization, and its publication is distributed throughout the United States and Europe. The photograph was taken during last year’s Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, capturing not only a special family moment but also the spirit of vintage motoring that defines the event. It is exciting to see Lake Garnett represented on an international stage, highlighting the next generation of enthusiasts who continue to carry...

This red metal-on-wood plaque is a unique piece of Lake Garnett racing history. Featuring a detailed map of the lake with labeled corner names, it reflects the layout of the course that hosted multiple forms of motorsport during the 1960s. The plaque notes that the event was “Sanctioned by I.K.F.,” most likely referring to the International Kart Federation, a national karting sanctioning body established in the late 1950s. Kart racing events were held at Lake Garnett during the same era as the original Grand Prix road races, though they were separate competitions with their own organizers and sanctioning structure. While...

The 1968 Lake Garnett Grand Prix program reflects a later chapter in the original run of races. Its pages document the competitors, schedule, and community partnerships that kept the event thriving. As the racing world continued to evolve, Lake Garnett remained an important venue for drivers and fans alike. Thank you to Susan Wettstein for preserving and sharing this historic program.

Every great event begins with a group of people willing to raise their hands and say, “Let’s make this happen.” This historic photograph captures one of those moments — a meeting of the original organizers of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix during the 1960s. The names of those present are handwritten directly on the photo, a small but powerful detail that reminds us these weren’t just racers and spectators — they were neighbors, volunteers, planners, and visionaries. These were the people who helped turn a bold idea into a community tradition. The People Behind the Race The Lake Garnett Grand...

This newspaper article, written by Dane Hicks and published in The Anderson County Review, highlights the return of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix through the modern-day revival event. The piece captures the excitement surrounding the renewed celebration of Garnett’s racing heritage, connecting today’s community with the historic road races that once drew national attention. Coverage like this reflects the continued local pride and growing interest in honoring the legacy of the original Grand Prix. We appreciate the thoughtful reporting and support in helping share the story of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival.

Between January and October 2014, the committee did something remarkable. Working entirely as volunteers, with no budget to speak of and no template to follow, they built an event from scratch. It was frantic. Every week brought new problems, new decisions, and new things nobody had thought of yet. Nobody was getting paid. Nobody stopped. Darren incorporated the organization as Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Incorporated, structured as a 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization – specifically qualified as an entity that holds an annual festival of regional customs and traditions. The legal documents were drafted by a friend of Darren’s,...

There’s something magnetic about watching vintage race footage — especially when it takes you back to a time when grassroots motorsport was still finding its feet and every event carried a sense of discovery. The 1960 Lake Garnett Grand Prix is one of those moments captured on film that speaks to the heart of early American road racing. This original video brings you into an era where enthusiasm powered the sport as much as the cars themselves, and where the community gathered beside a lakeside course to witness speed and skill in motion. A Glimpse Into 1960 Road Racing By...

Toly Arutunoff raced at Lake Garnett in 1959 with a ’57 Porsche Carrera Speedster GS listed at 100 HP.  I had a fun interview with Toly.  He said his Speedster was fun, nimble and had good brakes.  Toly remembered staying at someone’s house in Garnett.  He remembered the course as having a narrow bridge, a dip but no chicane back then.  Toly said people took the train from Tulsa to come to Lake Garnett.  Toly remembered KC’s Tom Newcomer as a friend, Bob Aylward from Wichita who was later murdered, KC’s Harvey “Woody” Woodward who put his car into the...

There is something special about watching racing history come alive on film. In 1958, the quiet roads around Lake Garnett transformed into a high speed circuit filled with sports cars, open exhaust notes, and the unmistakable energy of American road racing’s golden era. Long before modern safety barriers and digital timing systems, drivers relied on raw skill, courage, and mechanical intuition to navigate the winding lakeside course. This original footage captures the Lake Garnett Grand Prix as it happened — not recreated, not retold — but preserved in motion. A Glimpse Into 1958 Road Racing The late 1950s were a...

After the event, people went home and couldn’t stop talking about it. Darren couldn’t either. But where others talked, Darren started thinking. He called CB. The conversation was direct: this had to become an annual event. There was nothing else like it in the region. But if it was going to happen again, Darren felt it needed to be done differently – properly structured, properly organized, with the right people involved and the right attention paid to every detail that made an event like this possible. CB and Cheryl listened. They agreed. And a partnership was formed. The third piece...

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our friend, our president, and one of the guiding forces behind the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, Tracy Modlin. For many of us, this loss is difficult to put into words. Tracy wasn’t just a member of our board. He was one of the people who helped build the Revival into what it is today. A lifelong Garnett resident, he attended some of the original Lake Garnett races as a young boy. Decades later, he dedicated himself to making sure those races would never be forgotten. From the very...

These newspaper clippings capture an important chapter in Lake Garnett Grand Prix history. Pictured are Claude C. Anderson Jr. and James J. Anderson, owners of Anderson Motor Co., photographed in 1963 at their location on 6th and Oak Street in Garnett. Claude C. Anderson Jr. was a continuous member of the Board of Directors of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix and played a pivotal role in elevating the event’s profile. Through his connections, Anderson secured none other than Carol Shelby and his Cobra team to compete at the Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Shelby’s drivers included Ken Miles and Walt McDonald,...

Congratulations to Susan and Don Wettstein and Kim Wittman & Family as the 2022 recipients of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Spirit of the Event Award. This award honors those who generously give their time, energy, and support to help make the revival event a success. Whether through preserving history, volunteering, or strengthening community involvement, their contributions play an important role in keeping the Lake Garnett Grand Prix tradition alive. We are grateful for their continued dedication to the event and the Garnett community.